Young, dumb
and full of coagulated milk
virgin ears absorb myths of
deflowering rituals,
elder female stitched with rose patches
on her period,
a stag
retreating with red snail trails
on a white wall
shower stall
red and clear
circling the hole below

Bucking a green plaid comforter
cotton wrapped around clavicles
crusted underwear and sheets
days of muskrats
curtains of mildew
open up to the popcorn ceiling above
an endless, mediocre galaxy
where butterflies mingle with the stars
until they dissipate into cigarette wall stains.